My Bio ....
Most of my youth was spent in Mantua, Ohio not too far from Kent State University. Between the ages of five and eleven, I lived in Mexico City where I attended both private and public schools. It took about six months for me to be bilingual! We later returned to Mantua where I graduated from Crestwood High School. I moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida for about a year, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. I was stationed at Ft. Dixx, New Jersey, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, YongSong, South Korea, Ft. Benning, Georgia and finally finished my enlistment at NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain Air Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
I attended Parkland College and transferred to University of Illinois to graduate with a degree in BAT – Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Spanish. During my study abroad through UIUC, I attended school in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. I've hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - twice! I spent a day in San Salvador to witness a part of the Romero history. And I'm in love with Guatemala - I've been there more times than I count!! We now take graduated students to Guatemala to build homes with
the NGO From Houses to Homes.
I can't get enough of Latin America. I've been to Argentina, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and I'm traveling to Chile spring break 2023! I've traveled to Spain many times, and spent a day in Morocco!
I completed my Master’s of Arts in Spanish with a concentration in Peninsular Literature with a secondary concentration in Spanish Linguistics in the summer of 2013 from Illinois State University. I've taught upper and lower level Spanish at Central High. I was Adjunct Professor at Parkland College teaching Spanish courses for many years, and currently I am Visiting Instructor at the University of Illinois teaching the Senior FLTA 475 methods course for future language teachers.
My daughter, Emmily, is a University of California, Berkeley graduate and works for Superfly in their Experiences Division. My son, Joel, is an Indiana University, Bloomington graduate and is a substitute teacher working on his teacher licensure in Chicago.
I enjoy running with my dog, kayaking, hanging out with family and friends, planning adventures and traveling great distances! The higher the mountain, the longer the trail .... the better the backpacking!